“I think in about five minutes they approved the affiliation,” says Wynn. “They had a staff report that was very positive and I think they felt very goo about agreeing with the affiliation.”

The Federal Trade Commission must also okay the affiliation.

“It’s in their lap right now,” says Wynn. “They have another week or two and from what I hear about that process it’s going well. We anticipate that by the end of March they will have okay-ed this and April 1st is still a good day for the affiliation to actually take place.”

If the affiliation receives all regulatory approvals and clearances, Passavant would become a full affiliate of Memorial Health System, which also includes Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln and Taylorville Memorial Hospital.